The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-02-03
SNOW BOUND At EAGLES
BY BRET HARTE.
Copyrighted by Houghton, Miffiin G. Co., snd
published by arrangement with them.]

Hall frightened, she was turning away,
when she perceived, few PAGES distant, the
figure of the stranger, "Ned," also opparently
absorbed in the gloomy prospect. He was
wrapped in the clinging folds of black
serape braided with silver; the broad flap of
a slouched hat beaten back by the wind ex-
posed the dark, glistening curls on his white
forehead. He was certainly very handsome
and picturesque, and that apparently without
effort or consciousness. Neither was there
anything in his costume or appearance in
consistent with his surroundings, or even
with what Kate could judge were his habits
or position. Never heless she instantly de-
cided that he was too handsome and too pic
turesque, without suspecting that her ideas
of the limits Of masculine beauty were merely
personal experience.
As he turned away from the cliff they were
brought face to face. at doesn't l)ok very
encouraging over there" he said, quietly, as
if the inevitableness of the situation had re-
lieved him of his previous shyness and effort;
dts even worse than expected. The snow
must have begun there last night, and it
looks as if it meant to STAY" He stopped for
moment, and then, lifting his eyes to her,
said: 81 suppose you know what this means?n
Il don't understand you"
II thought not. Well! it means that you
are absolutely cut off here from any commu-
nication or intercourse with any one outside
of that canyon. By this time the snow is five
feet deep over the only trail by which one
can pass In and out Of that gateway. / am
not alarming you, hope, for there is no real
physical danger; place like this ought to
be well garrisoned, and certainly is self-sup.
porting so far as the mere necessities and
even comforts are concerned You have
wood, water, cattle and game at your COM
mand, but for two weeks at least you are
completely isolated"
"For two weeks" said Kate, growing pale
"and my brother?'
"He knows all by this time and is prob
ably as assured as 1 am of the safety of his
family"
"For two WEI ks" continued Kate, 'impossf
blei You don'b know my brotherl He will
find some way te get to u.s."
ly, "for what is possible for him is possible
for u.s."
aThen you are anxious to get away" Kate
could not help saying.
"Very"
The reply was not discourteous in manner,
but was so far from ga liant that Kate felt a
new and inconsistent resentment. Before
she could say anything he added, Sand l
hope you will remember, whatever may hap
pen, that did my best to avoid staying here
longer than was necessary to keep my friend
from bleeding TO death in the road"
Certainly" said Kate; then added awk-
wardly, II hope he'll be better soon" She
was silent, and then, quickening her pace,
said hurriedly, II must tell my sister this
dreadful news"
Il think she is prepared for it. If there is
anything can do to help you hope you will
let me know. Perhaps I may be of some
service. I shall begin by exploring the trails
tomorrow, for the best service we can do you
possibly is to take ourselves off; but can
carry gun, and the woods are full of game
driven down from the mountains. Let me
show you something you may not have
noticed" He stopped and pointed to small
knoll of sheltered shrubbery and granite OIL
the opposite mountain, which still remained
black against the surrounding snow. Il
seemed to be thicl1ly covered with moving
objects. "They are wild animals driven ou
of the snow." said the stranger. "That larger
one is a grizzly; there is a panther, wolves
wildcats, a fox, and some mountain goats"
Gan nl-assorted party said the young girl
gill luck makes them companions. They
are too frightened to hurt one another now.
"But they will eat each other later on" sait
Kate, stealing glance at her companion
| He lifted his long lashes and met her eyes
"Not on haven of refuge"